:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45750648/usa-today-8398917.0.jpg)
Inside linebacker and nose tackle - those two positions, more than any others, have dominated draft discussion as far as the Green Bay Packers are concerned, and with good reason. Because of free agency, injury, and outright release, those positions are certainly the weakest on the roster and therefore are the primary perceived needs leading into the player acquisition phase of the NFL offseason.
As such, they have been featured prominently in the coverage coming out of this year's NFL Scouting Combine, and we'll have our own analyses of the various players as the weeks go along. But in the meantime, here are some of the breakdowns of the various players at those positions, among others, in today's Cheese Curds.
Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon and the return of the 1st round running back - SBNation.com
There are quotes from both running backs, plus Ted Thompson and others here about the trend in recent years to wait to draft players at that position.
Did Packers' McCarthy make right call with Zook for special teams? | JSOnline
Bob McGinn apparently doesn't think so, putting the head coach on blast for not making the decision sooner after the Seahawks game and for not interviewing a few other candidates.
Tramon Williams waits as Packers talk with Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga - ESPN
It should be no surprise that the Packers are looking to lock up their two young offensive stars, but Williams has missed just one game since 2007 and that's a quality that he and his agent plan to promote during the lead-up to free agency.
Green Bay Packers could find their inside man in first round of draft | FOX Sports
Here's a look at the top batch of inside linebackers, with some quotes from each from the Combine.
McKinney, Perryman offer long and short at ILB | Packers.com
Here's a slightly more in-depth look at these two prospects specifically, as the difference in height is one of many differences between these two players.
Packers connections put Davis, Phillips in play | Packersnews.com
We discussed the Phillips connection over the weekend, but the pipeline of Iowa players to Green Bay has Carl Davis as a possibility as well.
Eddie Goldman, Malcom Brown Provide Different Styles on Defensive Line | Cheesehead TV
If Davis or Phillips aren't the guy, it's feasible that one of these two could be in play for the nose tackle position - but while Florida State's Goldman focuses on stopping the run, Brown (from Texas) is more of a versatile pass-rusher.
Leonard Williams shooting for No. 1 in the NFL Draft - SBNation.com
The former Trojan thinks he should be the top pick in the draft, not quarterbacks Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.